Classification and Layout of Marshalling Yards

Terminal yard - Terminal yard means yard attached to terminal goods shed where large number of wagons are loaded, unloaded. This term is also used for every goods yard, where a goods train terminate.

Marshalling yard - Yards are nominated as Marshalling yards on the basis of number of wagons dealt with. The concept of Marshalling yard are becoming anachronistic and world over it is giving way to freight terminals.

Transit yard - Trains are received and despatched without any shunting on them. In such yard generally change of crew, engine, C&W examination, etc. are carried out.

Types of Marshalling Yards

Flat Yards

Sorting by push and pull method of shunting.

Maximum number of wagons that could be sorted out in a flat yard with one shunting neck and one shunting engine will be around 500 or so in aday.

If the total quantum of traffic is more than this it is advisable to have a hump yard or separate Up and Down Yards.

Flat yards are economical in space, but slow in working and wasteful in shunting engine hours.

Hump yards

A hump of suitable height is provided and wagons are rolled from the crest of hump to desire sorting lines with gravitational force.

With proper mechanisation it is possible to sort upto 5000 wagons per day in a single hump.

One train load of 60 wagons can be sorted in 20-25 minutes in no-mechanised hump yard.

Fewer, bigger yards
World over Railways are shifting towards the concept of Fewer, bigger yards. This has the following advantages :

Less multiple handling and as such less delay to wagons and less damage to wagons/consignments.

Possibility of getting greater number of long distance bulk loads .

Less idling of assets and staff during slack season.

Sub yards.

Reception yards

Hump and sorting yards

Departure yard

Grid yard(For sorting of local wagons and forming section and transhipment trains in geographical order).

Through yard/Bypass yard

Sick lines

Transhipment yard or repacking yard

Exchange yard

Lighting, staff amenities

Telecom Equipment in Marshalling Yard

Telecom Network – Extensive telecom network through an electronic exchange and intercoms between all important points of Yard is essential. Yards should have direct dialling and Trunk facilities and Control phones.

Paging and Talk-back arrangement – through which orders and instructions are issued from a central point. Similarly staff can convey any information to the Central point. This facilitates better co-ordination.

Loud speakers at convenient positions for conveying instructions to different staff in same area. For eg. Loud speakers are provided in sorting yard so that in charge of hump can convey instructions relating to hump cabin and skid porters.